Battleship.



H. M. SILVEIRA. BATTLESHIP.

-APPLIOATION FILED MAY 1o, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1,080,490, Patented Dec.v 2, 1913.

4H. M. SILVBIRA.

BATTLESHIP.

APPLIGATION IILBD MAY 10| 1912.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

smNG'roN. D. c.

H. M. SILVBIRA.

BATTLESHIP.

APPLIoATIoN FILED MAY 1o, 1912.

1,080,490. Y Patented 1360.2, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Smeg/bof,

CULUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Co..wAsHlNuT0N.l n. c.`

H. M. SILVEIRA.

BATTLESHIP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1o, 1912.

e SHEETS-SHEET 5.

lIl

AH. M.,SILVEIRA.

BATTLESHIP.

' APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1912. l 1,080,490, Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

tric.

HENRY M. SILVEIRA, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

BATTLESHIP.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY M. SILVEIRA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new i and useful Improvements in Battleships, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention rela-tes` to battleships, and

Y its primary object is to provide a novel construction of ship and arrangement of guns,

whereby the ship may be constantly maneui fire from either port or starboard side, and

which when in normal position will be protected by their turrets and theships armor while they are being loaded.

A still further object of the invention is toprovide an arrangement of guns whereby the guns may be lired in regular order and in such manner that while one or more guns are being fired others will be protected and in position for loading and still others protected and in position to be run out for firing, whereby a constant discharge of projectiles may be kept up from either side or alternately from both sides of the ship when it is in action.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby the destruction of the exposed partof a turret will not render the gun inoperative, and to provide means whereby the general offensive and defensive eiicienoy of the ship is increased and a high-speed type of battleship produced. i

A still further object of the invention is to provide fighting masts which are adapted to be telescoped into the body of the ship when not in use or when it is desired to stow them out of the way for protection, as

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dee-2, 191 s.

Application filed May 10, 1912. Serial No. 696,495.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby torpedoes may be discharged from the bow on a straight line toward the enemy.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for launching and taking aboard small boats, said means including an internal well or basin of water adapted to be brought into communication with the body o-f water in which the ship floats through suitable doors in the sides of the latter.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for Ventilating the ship and discharging thesmoke and gases inthe event of the smokestacks being shot away.

lVith these and other objects in view, which will appear in the'course of the subu yjoined description, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in'which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a battleship embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isa top plan view of thesame. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through one Vof the main turrets. Fig. 4: is a sectional plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section through one side of the ship, showing one of the small guns projected for use. Y Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of the same, showing the gun turned to iiring position. Fig. 7 is a detail section showing parts illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the torpedo launching mechanism. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional top plan view thereof, showing respectively in full and dotted lines, the tor` pedo tube in position for loading or firing the torpedo and for supplying the charge of compressed air. Fig. l0 is a vertical section through the mast and means for raising and lowering the same. Fig.` 11 is a vertical transverse section through the ship on the line of the well. v Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 13

is a view of the smoke and gas separator.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body or hull of theship, which is suitably partitioned interiorly to provide any desired number and arrangement of engine rooms, bunkers, food supply storage compartments, magazines, and quarters for the officers and crew, etc.` This body or hull is constructed of metal in any suitable manner and may be of any desired length and breadth. It is, however, preferably provided above the water line with straight parallel sides and terminating in pointed or wedge-sliaped bow and stern portions 2 and 3. The sides of the body or hull are protected by an armor plate 3 extending from below the water line up to the fighting deck. The ship is designed in battle to fightas far as possible head or bow on, and the bow and stern portions are accordingly provided with heavy armor plate 4 of sufficient thickness and strength to withstand the impact of heavy projectiles. Rising from the bow and stern portions are heavily armored shields 5 which are designed to intercept and ward off all projectiles traveling in a plane parallel with the keel line of the ship and within a certain elevation above the fighting deck. By this arrangement of armored surfaces, and the contemplated method of maneuvering the ship when in action against the enemy, but a minimum amount of broad side surface will be presented to the guns of the enemy, thus greatly diminishing liability of the ship being struck and seriously damaged. In the illustrated construction'the ship is pro-vided with decks' 6, 7, S and 9 arranged at suitable elevations, the first or lower deck 6 being disposed prac* tically in the plane of the water line and the top or fighting deck 9 at a desired elevation depending upon the size and equipment of the ship. The bow portion is provided in its sides with recesses or clearance spaces 10, in the rear walls of which are provided openings 11 for the exposure of the torpedo tubes, hereinafter described, whereby torpedoes may be directly launched from the ship straight toward the enemy when the ship is positioned bow on in action. If den sired, similar clearance spaces and torpedo discharging mechanism of the type hereinafter disclosed may also be arranged at the stern of the ship.

Arranged above the fighting deck is a battery of main guns 12, of a size and caliber varying according to the size of the ship, which guns when at rest or being loaded lie longitudinally along the center of said deck or parallel withthe keel line, so as to be protected from the shells of the enemy by the bow and stern shields 5. These guns are mounted in pairs upon turrets or shields 13 which are supported by the third deck 8 and extend upwardly through openings in the fighting deck 9. Each turret is supported by a carriage 14 provided with any preferred type of mechanism for adjusting and sighting the guns and for taking up the shock ofdischarge, said carriage being mounted to travel transversely from side to side of the ship on bed rails 15, between which and the carriage are interposed suitable anti-friction bearings 16. The inner faces of the rails, which latter are securely fastened to the deck 8, are provided with rack teeth 17 20 with driving shafts 21 and 22. These shafts are adapted to be thrown by means of clutches 28 and24 into and out of engagement with the shaft 25 of an electricor other suitable motor 26 supported by the carriage. One of said sets of gearing is adapted for driving the carriage in one direction, and the other set of gearing is adapted for driving the carriage in the opposite direction, so thaty the turrets may be shifted from a central, neutral or loading position to either side of the ship for action and back again. Where the sets of guns are arranged in close relation, theturret ofv one set may be higher than the turret of the adjacent set, so that each turret and its guns may be shifted without interfering with the adjacent turret and its guns. When one set of guns is shifted to firing position laterally beyond the keel line in either direction, a clear range is afforded for the discharge of the projectiles beyond the line of the shield 5, while when the guns are in normal position they will lie-within a narrow longitudinal path or zone protected by the shield from projectiles traveling in a plane above the fighting deck and along the central longitudinal line of the ship. Projectiles striking the bow or stern of the ship beyond and in rear of the shield will be warded olf by the heavy armor plating 4. The carriage 14 is provided with suitable locking devices 14a to engage the rails 15, whereby 'said carriage and the turretmay be held firmly fixed in any position of adjustment.

As stated, the ship is designed to be maintained as closely as possible when in action bow and stern on to the enemy, so as to reduce to the minimum the amount of surface exposed to the enemys guns. By properly 11o sheering the ship within determined limits, the guns may be shifted'without undue exposure of the vessel to fire from either side thereof or alternately at sides thereof, while .the guns which are in normal position are being protected. Under such conditions, therewill be a practical impossibility of any of the guns being damaged or the turrets being injured, beyond the possibility of the top of a turret being carried away by a shell traveling at an angle and sufficiently low to strike the top of the turret, which may be damaged to a certain ext-ent without putting the guns out of service. The arrangement of the train of gunsis such that'they may be 125 fired rapidly in regular order from bow to stern or viceY versa, and insuch manner that while oneor more guns are being discharged, others willbe in loading position and protected, and still others loaded and protected whilev they are being made ready to be` shifted into firing position. `Owing to this contemplated method of operation and mode of mounting, adjusting and protecting the guns, the ship is much less liableto be seriously damaged or its fighting equipment put out of operation than battle ships of ordinary construction.` The ship is also provided with any desired number of smaller calibered guns 27 which are arranged in batteries upon the second and third decks7 and 8 and normally lie within the vessel. As shown, said guns 27 are arranged in transversely alined pairs on opposite sides Vof the keel line and are adapted to be projected for `action and withdrawn through port holes 28 `in the sides of thevessel, and to normally lie lengthwise transversely of the vessel or at right angles to the keel line. Each gun .27 is mounted upon a carriage supported by a turn-table 29 carried by a rack bar 30 adjustablein longitudinal guide rails 31. Meshing .with saidlrack bar iS a gear 32 adapted to be operated by a wheel or other actuating del vice 33, by which the bar may be moved outwardly to project the gun and inwardly to retract it. The outer endA of the rack bar is provided with a pivoted stop ,-andbrace 34, which drops by gravity whenthe gun is projected through the port hole against an abutment 34a on the side of the shipwhe re by the gun is braced and a support provided to v,enable the operator to sighta-nd re the gun. All the small guns may thus be housed from injury during a storm or while they are being loaded when the ship is in action, as will be readily understood. lhe ship is provided with one or more masts 35 to either support a lighting top, or to carry yardarms 3G for the suspension of flagropes 37 and the aerials 3S of a wireless system, and at a suitable point upon the mast a telescope 39 may be arranged. The mast 35 is telescopically mounted so that when the ship is not in action or its use is not desired it may be loaded to a protected position. For this purpose' the mast is arranged to slide within a tube or cylinder 40 extending down into the body of the hull, and carries at its lower end a piston member 41 which slidably engages said tube in a liquid and air-tight manner. The tube is in communication at its lower end with a second tube or cylinder 42 in which is disposed a weighted piston member Y43. Within the said tubes or cylin der is inclosed a balancing column 44 of oil, water or other liquid, which is `adapted to flow from one tube to the other through a bottom port cont-rolled by a valve 45. The piston 41 rests upon the top of that portion of the Vcolumn within the tube 40, whereby the mastris supported and its position regulated according to the height of the column. The weighted piston member 43 is adapted in conjunction with theibody of liquid 44to approximately balance the weight ofthe mast, so that when said piston member 43 is Y relieved from pressure the mast will descend slowly within the tube 20 and force the liquid into the tube 42, in which said liquid and the piston rise. Communicating with the tube 42 is a valved inlet 46 for the supply of fluid from a suitable source, and also communicating with said tube are one or more valved discharge or drain outlets 47, whereby the liquid may be withdrawn from said tube. Assuming the mast to be in its lowest position, in which its weight predominates over the head on the column of liquid, it will be understood that by admit ting liquid through the inlet 46 the head on the` column may be increased and the piston member 43 forced downto force the fluid into the tube 44 to elevate the mast. By opening `the valve or valves 47 this excess of liquid pressure may be removed to allow the mast to descend to a protected position. Each mast may consist of one or more telescopic mast sections proper, as desired, ac-

-cording to the length of the mast employed i also extend ventilators 51 leading from the fire room. VOther Vventilators may be disposed wherever their use is necessary or desirable.

Formed within the body or hull at a point amidships is a water containing compartment or well 52 which4 extends from side to side ofthe hull and is adapted to communicate with the exterior below the 'water line through openings 53 normally closed by water-tight bulkhead doors 54. This well forms a basin of sufficient depth to float the launches and other small boats carried by the ship, which may thus be launched through the side ofthe ship in a ready and convenient manner. By the provision of the doors 54, the boats may also directly enter the ship without the necessity of hauling the same on deck, and may be launched or taken aboard on the lee side in case of rough weather. The walls of the well or basin may serve as wharves to which a number of boats may be moored for immediate use when the ship is atanchor. In practice, it is contemplated to carry the launches and small boats on the second and third decks in proximity to the basin, to enable them to be handled with greater expedition and facility. The well may further be used as a bath quarter or pool, and in the winter the doors may be closed and the water heated by steam to a proper temperature for such use. Launches and smallboats may also-be carried on the fighting deck and handledl by means-of cranes 55. Davits 56 are provided at suitable points for supporting life rafts and preservers. The smoke stacks 57 may be arranged amidships or at other suitable points, and if desired the galley or kitchen 58 may be disposed immediately in rear of the casinginclosing the mizzen mast, at a point where the cook may work with convenience even in hot weather and be protected toa large extentwhen the ship' isv in action. One or more smoke consumersv or purifying and discharge devices may be employed to handle the smoke and productsof combustion from theboiler and furnaces.

"Eachof these devices comprises a smoke boX 59, communicating with a fan 59 which draws the smoke into theboX and discharges' it into a purifying chamberV 60,. Communicating'with thischamber'are pipes or con-Y ductors 61 and 62 and communicating; with the conductor 62 is a' pipe 62, each conductor 61 and: 62 communicating'at' its proximate end-with a centrifugal pumpGS. Con-l nected with the conductor 61 is` a valvedi. waterl supply pipe 64 and leading from ther casing of the centrifugal pump is a water discharge or drain pipe 65.. The conductor 6l connects with a drum 6"(4 from-which eX- tends a gas outlet pipe 68. The'pump63 therewith through the pipe 65. Thesmoke and gas with a portion ofv the water thenY flow through the pipe 62. into theconductorv 61, the water discharging. into-the chamber 60 and flowingback to the centrifugalpump,`

while the gas and smoke flow outi into the drum 67 andv discharge therefrom through the pipe 68. This pipe'. 68 mayJleadv'to the atmospliere'or carry the gases back to thel By. the use' ofy this device the solid particles ofthe products furnacesv for consumption.

of combustion may be dischar-ged'below the water` line,-and the gases either exhausted orconsumed in the furnaces, tlius preventing f the emission of smoke or vapor of4 any. kind liable to disclose the position of the ship to j the enemy..

Disposed within the bow for'coperation with the respective port holes l1 are torpedo launching devices 69 comprising tubes adapted to be charged with compressed air from pumps orother chargingy devicesf- 70. Each launching tube 69 is pivotally mounted at its forward end at a point in line with the adjacent portV 1l upon a.v carriage 71,

such pivotal connection comprising a uni- Y 'versally jointed ball or head' 72, adapted to permit said tube to be adjusted vertically and laterallyl- The tube isv adapted to be swung laterally Within a' radius of 90 with 'the carriage from a charging position substantially at right angles tothe bow, and from such position to al firing position parallel with theV plane'of the vessel, as indicated in full and'broken lines in Fig. 9. The rear or free'end of the tube is provided wit-h a suitable closure 73 adapted to be connected iwithl the air pump or discharge-device'by a suitable coupling unionl 74, suitable means being provided for holding the torpedo against discharge and releasing' it for discharge at the' proper time. The tube is connected intermediate ofy its length with cross heads75'movable on arcuate guides 76 in the carriage; whereby the tube may be adjusted` vertically to discharge the torpedo at thev desired angle; Pivotally coupled to lthese cross heads` arev screw' shafts 77 engaged byv gearl nuts 78 operated by gears 7 9 on shafts 80 journal'ed` on the carriage, which" shafts are adapted tov be thrown into `and outV ofx connection with the shaft of a jmotor 81' by suitable clutch devices 82 I whereby thev screw shafts may be respecltivel'y-f thrown int'o operation to raise or ilower'the'torpedo tube and'thrown out of @operation topermit'lsaid tube to remain in adjnstedposition. The carriage 7 '1 is pivotled-at its forwardfend,asindicated, to travel @upon segmentaltrackrails'83 by which the tube'may be adjusted: from a launching` to la charging position andlvice versa, suitablel anti-friction bearings 8f4:l beingL providedbetween the carriage andl rails to-secure ease of adjustment. One of the rails' is provided. with rack` teeth! 85 for connectionl with' a gear 86 on the carriage'whereby the latter lmayf be" adjusted in its arc ofi movement. This gear 86 fmay be operate/d by! manual'K orl motive power: asA desired. It will' thus be -seen thaty the torpedoes may be launched throughthe'port's 11 directly at the enemy ina plane parallel with the longitudinal `plane ofi the vessel,.thus increasing; the efliciency ofthis part. As hereinbefore'stated, gthe torpedo mechanism described may be vduplicated at the stern: of the vessel for use when thevesse'l lights stern on.

Havingthus describedthe invention, what Ilclaim' as new-y is:-

l. A battleship. havinga'ghtingdeck eX- 'tending on a' continuous horizontal plane from bow to stern, a shield extending upwardly from thearmored sides at the bow abovethe plane of the fighting deck, and fa battery ofgnnsarranged along the deck normally/in thelongitudinal plane of the .shield and'movable from side to side of the .fdeck, said guns being arranged in overlapping pairs. 'f Y 2. A battleshipprovided with a fighting deck and with a bow having its sides tapershield and mounted on tracks for movement ing'to a point, a solid triangular' shield at atliwart-ships to fire across the clear spaces the apex of the bow rising above the fighting of the inclined sides of the bow on either deck in the median line of the vessel, leaving side of the plane of the shield. y 15 5 clear spaces along the inclined sides of the In testimony whereof I aliX my signature bow betweerfi thedsarie anfd tliebponts of irllin presence of two witnesses.

terseotion o sai si es o t e 0W with t e sides ofthe body of the hull, and a longi- HENRY M' SILVEIRA tudnal series of longitudinally disposed Witnesses:

10 guns arranged in overlapping pairs and nor- JOHN BORGES,

mally lin the median line of the vessel and I OLVARO A. NUNES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Iatents,

- Washington, D. G. 

